17. Cultural Encounter: Sanskrit at the Mughal Court

In Culture of Encounters, Audrey Truschke gives us insights into how and why the Mughals — one of the most powerful imperial powers — poured immense energy into drawing Sanskrit thinkers to their courts, adopted and adapted Sanskrit-based practices, translated dozens of Sanskrit texts into Persian and composed Persian accounts of Indian philosophy. Beginning with the invitation of Brahmin and Jain intellectuals to King Akbar’s court, this incisive work details the numerous, Mughal-backed texts they produced under emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.